529. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify the relevant article or articles in Council Regulation 504/2008 which authorise the Irish implementing rule, as enacted by Article 5(4) of SI No. 357 of 2011 European Communities (Equine) Regulations 2011 (as amended); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17920/14]

The position is that equidae not identified within the timeframe set out in Article 5(6) of the Commission Regulation (EC) No. 504/2008 do not fulfil the identification and traceability requirements of EU law and, accordingly, can only qualify for a replacement identification document as provided for in Article 17 of the Regulation. The reason for this is that there are no identification details or veterinary medication records available that would allow the application of the provisions of Article 16 with regard to the issuing of a duplicate document. Accordingly, Regulation 5(4) of S.I. No. 357 of 2011 reflects the provisions of Article 17 of Commission Regulation (EC) No. 504/2008 which provides that such animals shall be classified in Part II of Section IX of the replacement identification document as not intended for slaughter for human consumption.